Hello, my name is David Corner I am a person with an intellectual disability and autism. I'm introducing this Self-Advocacy timeline project as I work as a Self-Advocate adviser for IHC, and I have been involved as part of the self-advocacy team for a very long time. ;xNLx;Self advocacy is speaking up for yourself and making your own choices and decisions with help and support that you require form other people. ;xNLx;For 73 years IHC has been advocating for the rights of people with intellectual disabilities and this timeline details some of this work. ;xNLx;If you see anything in this timeline that needs amending, or you have a story you would like to add, please get in contact, the details are below.;xNLx;;xNLx;Email us at librarian@ihc.org.nz ;xNLx; ;xNLx;;xNLx;People with intellectual disabilities have been treated very unfairly in the past. Some people may be upset to read about this treatment. Please be aware that some of the items in this timeline may be upsetting for some people.
The society's New Zealand Committee has set up a task force to look into the establishment in New Zealand of Gateway Clubs which would provide for the leisure and recreation of the intellectually handicapped through organised activities of al kinds.
The fact was, Robert and his mates also knew something about farming, yet none more than David Bolsted..
"Women at Alma Gardens protested by striking in support of a fired staff member. This time the disabled people prevailed and no one had to leave" - Robert Martin 'Becoming a Person'
Gateway, a social club for people with intellectual disabilities, which aimed to help them break out of their constrained lives.
Client Meetings happened where people with an intellectual disability had meetings without staff in their workshops
"In 1982 a group got together to talk about the issues that were arising. They called themselves the Client Committee." Robert Martin, 'Becoming a Person'
Conference at Wanganui has all the potential to be a great success.
Robert Martin and Josie recall protesting the IHC buses
The message from the Concurrent Conference
Programmes within Canterbury and other branches and institutions.
JB Munro rushes to get the name registered
The second National Concurrent Conference yields positive recommendations
'Fundamental changes'
The Client committee finally forced a showdown
'The most normalising thing is pay'
Rosemary Scully gives her impressions of the 1986 World Congress held in Brazil. She feels she gained a great deal by attending
As the Client Committee grew in strength a new name was needed..
Enter story info here
Julie Corbett from People First protests outside Parliament in November 1989 against a reduction in welfare benefits for people with disabilities.
"Sterilisation of a women could only be justified where continued fertility endangered herself" -Rosemary Scully and Robert Martin
Peter Park talks about the independence of People First
Enter story info here
Has the Phoenix arisen from the ashes? IHC's Annual General Meeting and Conference was held at the end of November last year. It was characterised by an overwhelming optimism for the future.
As part of his job as National Self Advocate Advisor, Robert Martin is selected to travel around the world discussing self-advocacy.
A First for IHC
Peter Stevens Debbie Leatham and Robert Martin share stories about the the People First conference.
Campaigning for De-Institutionalisation
People with an intellectual (learning) disability from all around New Zealand came together for a conference in Rotorua, New Zealand. This was the first time they had a conference of their own, not organised by a service provider. The National People First Conference held in Rotorua. Stories told by Sylvia Tal, John Gill and Robert Martin
A new logo designed by Rick Beck and Karolina Johnson
"Labels are for Jam Jars"
We must listen to what self advocates are saying.
The International League for the society of mental handicaps changed its name to Inclusion International
A recently proposed law change threatened to discriminate against people with an intellectual handicap.
The booklet was produced as part of Inclusion International with their Self Advocacy Committee
Keeping people who are supported by IHC informed: Where to now? By David Corner
By Keith Ballad
IHC's Biennial Conference was held in Rotorua in December last year attended by 480 delegates and observers including I00 self advocates. The photographs tell the story.
Denise Bennett
Self Advocates from IHC in Dunedin have their own radio show
In early December, twenty five self advocates from the Northern Region attended the first of a series of training sessions scheduled on topics chosen by the self advocates.
A documentary pushed de-institutionalisation to the fore.
Over 150 people gathered in Palmerston North recently for a conference examining the shift of people with an intellectual handicap from institutions into the community. The conference, entitled Fast Forward, attracted self advocates, health professionals, service providers and parents. It included keynote addresses and workshops. Delegates were unanimous in their desire to move the remaining people living in institutions into quality community care.
My Friends are Still There.
Self advocate Sharon Hohaia broke down and cried as she told the Fast Forward Conference of her experiences living In an Institution.
Self advocate Michael Holdsworth was one of three New Zealand representatives at the recent Asia Pacific Conference on Down Syndrome held in Singapore.
A new training course is successfully equipping self advocates1 to use the media to speak up for themselves.
On Friday September 27 there was an invasion throughout the country - not of aliens seeking world domination but of people with disabilities seeking to be heard by politicians and the voting public.
Enter story info here
Desmond Corrigan remembers the angry battle.
Where do you go to for a night of fellowship and fun? For an increasing number of Wanganui self advocates, it's Club 26
We'd love to hear from you. Please send questions or feedback to the below email addresses.
Before contacting us, you may wish to visit our FAQs page which has lots of useful info on Tiki-Toki.
We can be contacted by email at: hello@tiki-toki.com.
You can also follow us on twitter at twitter.com/tiki_toki.
If you are having any problems with Tiki-Toki, please contact us as at: help@tiki-toki.com
Close